Diaz captures first gold for PH
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz gave the Philippines its first gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games on Tuesday, ending a string of disappointments that marked its third day campaign in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Less than an hour after the Philippines dropped a close 82-80 decision to China in men’s basketball, the 27-year-old Zamboanga
lass edged Kristina Shermetova of Turkmenistan in their head-to-head battle in the women’s 53kg division in weightlifting.
Diaz, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, overtook Shermetova with a 115kg. effort in the clean and jerk and watched her rival bungle her own attempt at 116 kgs. She topped the event with a total lift of 207 kgs., just a kilogram heavier than Shermetova’s.
“I feel like everything I have fought for I have now finally achieved,” said Diaz.
KhambaoSurodchana of Thailand took the bronze with 201 kgs.
Sports officials were ecstatic with Diaz’s win.
“I’m overjoyed by Hidilyn’s victory. I was entering a meeting with some ASEAN sports leaders when I got the news and I needed a few moments to compose myself before I went in. I was overcome by emotion,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas. “I just saw her yesterday (Monday) at the Athletes Village and she was so calm. Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn! You made the country proud again. You are an inspiration to your fellow athletes who will surely want to emulate you. Galing!”
The lone gold medal plus another bronze in taekwondo pushed the Philippines into 14th place in the medal standings.
Three days into the Games, Filipino athletes have collected one gold and four bronzes.
The latest bronze came from Pauline Louise Lopez who lost to Chinese ZongshiLuo, 11-4, in the semifinals of the women’s 57kg. class.
“I had the chance but the plan didn’t work according to what it should be. I was going for it, I did my part but it’s just it was not there for me,” said a disappointed Lopez who won her first two bouts in dominating fashions.
Two other fighters, Kirstie Elaine Alora and Kristopher Robert Uy, failed to hurdle their first bouts.
Almost lost in the celebration for the country’s first gold medal was the gallant display of the men’s basketball team against the Asian powerhouse.
Formed only three weeks ago, the Rain or Shine-powered squad stayed with the Chinese throughout the match and even had the chance to win the game in the closing seconds.
A three-point attempt by Paul Lee hit the back end of the rim as the Chinese heaved a sigh of relief.
Fil-American Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers was good as advertised, pouring in 28 points.
Two Philippine teams also lost their assignments.
The Blu Girls saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Fresh from twin victories over South Korea and China late Monday, the Blu Girls were overpowered by Asian champion Japan, 11-1.
The Japanese also dealt the Filipinas a 25-12, 25-15, 25-21 defeat in women’s volleyball.
In cycling’s mountain bike, ArianaThea Patrice Dormitorio crashed in the second lap of the women’s cross-country event and did not finish.
“Luck was not with me today,” said a disappointing Dormitorio who came in second in the first lap.
The Filipinos also failed to finish in the podium in fencing, gymnastics, swimming and wushu.
Nathaniel Lopez and Wayne Louie Brennan were eliminated in the Round of 32 of the men’s foil individual, gymnasts Ma. Cristina Onofre and Corinne Leanne Bunagan struggled and swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi failed to qualify in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event.
In wushu, Daniel Parantac finished seventh in the men’s taijiquan while Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan tied for 10th in the men’s nangun final.